Feeding Your Child Unhealthy Foods

I don't think I've ever started my own thread here, but I am very curious about this subject, because it hits home for me.

Do you look down on parents who don't feed their children super healthy/organic? What about the children you see who are only eating chicken and fries, chips, fruit snacks, etc?

My reason for asking: I have a 22 month old. When we started him on table foods at 8 months, he would eat anything. This was wonderful, because I would serve him grilled chicken, lots of veggies, ground turkey, soup, cottage cheese, etc. You know, all the good stuff.

At about 12 months, he literally stopped eating. He refused to eat even his favorites. There were days when I only got him to eat 1 yogurt and a handful of cheerios. From 12m to 15m he didn't gain any weight, so I was concerned. I can't even tell you the amount of stress this caused me. After talking with my MIL and my pedi, I decided I can't be picky. I need to let him eat whatever he will take. That meant french fries and chocolate munchkins. I truly tried better foods, but they ended up in the trash 95% of the time. Waste of money. Now instead of just "treats" now and then, he was eating crappy food often. But, at least he was eating.

Now at almost 2, he is eating a decent amount of food, but with no varitey. He will eat chicken nuggets (I buy breaded Purdue), pb&j on whole grain bread, grilled cheese, whole grain noodles with alfredo sauce (I know- weird), oatmeal or cheerios for bfast. Yogurt and cheese sticks for snacks. That is literally it. That is what he eats.

When we go out to eat, I get him Wendy's nuggest before hand because he won't eat anything at a restaurant, and I can't afford to waste money on something he will just push away. I am one of those people who does care what people think of me. I don't want to look like a bad mother because my child eats fast food nuggets and fries.

Would you think badly of me if you saw us out- conciously or not? Would you care? Would you think I wasn't even trying?

Genuinely curious.

I don't think I've ever started my own thread here, but I am very curious about this subject, because it hits home for me.

Do you look down on parents who don't feed their children super healthy/organic? What about the children you see who are only eating chicken and fries, chips, fruit snacks, etc?

My reason for asking: I have a 22 month old. When we started him on table foods at 8 months, he would eat anything. This was wonderful, because I would serve him grilled chicken, lots of veggies, ground turkey, soup, cottage cheese, etc. You know, all the good stuff.

At about 12 months, he literally stopped eating. He refused to eat even his favorites. There were days when I only got him to eat 1 yogurt and a handful of cheerios. From 12m to 15m he didn't gain any weight, so I was concerned. I can't even tell you the amount of stress this caused me. After talking with my MIL and my pedi, I decided I can't be picky. I need to let him eat whatever he will take. That meant french fries and chocolate munchkins. I truly tried better foods, but they ended up in the trash 95% of the time. Waste of money. Now instead of just "treats" now and then, he was eating crappy food often. But, at least he was eating.

Now at almost 2, he is eating a decent amount of food, but with no varitey. He will eat chicken nuggets (I buy breaded Purdue), pb&j on whole grain bread, grilled cheese, whole grain noodles with alfredo sauce (I know- weird), oatmeal or cheerios for bfast. Yogurt and cheese sticks for snacks. That is literally it. That is what he eats.

When we go out to eat, I get him Wendy's nuggest before hand because he won't eat anything at a restaurant, and I can't afford to waste money on something he will just push away. I am one of those people who does care what people think of me. I don't want to look like a bad mother because my child eats fast food nuggets and fries.

Would you think badly of me if you saw us out- conciously or not? Would you care? Would you think I wasn't even trying?

I would probably notice at all. But they say just to put the healthy food on the plate even if you throw it away. They need to see it before they will try it. Don't say anything about it or try to get him to eat it. Just have it on there good luck.

I would probably notice at all. But they say just to put the healthy food on the plate even if you throw it away. They need to see it before they will try it. Don't say anything about it or try to get him to eat it. Just have it on there good luck.

If I looked down on you I'd be looking down on myself. I admit that I don't always make healthy food for Addison. I am lucky in that she is not super picky. But I rely on frozen chicken nuggets way too much.

I stay out of the food threads because I just don't live up to some of the ladies on here. I offer up new foods to Addison all the time. Some she loves and some she doesn't. She loves brocolli, hummas, and red peppers to name a few. Don't beat yourself up. Hopefully this is just a phase. I was the worlds pickiest eater as a child and my mom made everything homemade and pushed healthy eating. Sometimes it's not worth the battle and the stress. :)

If I looked down on you I'd be looking down on myself. I admit that I don't always make healthy food for Addison. I am lucky in that she is not super picky. But I rely on frozen chicken nuggets way too much.

I stay out of the food threads because I just don't live up to some of the ladies on here. I offer up new foods to Addison all the time. Some she loves and some she doesn't. She loves brocolli, hummas, and red peppers to name a few. Don't beat yourself up. Hopefully this is just a phase. I was the worlds pickiest eater as a child and my mom made everything homemade and pushed healthy eating. Sometimes it's not worth the battle and the stress. :)

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.Thomas Jefferson

From:
Prayingforbabythree

To: kdemello

Posted: Feb-07 12:16 PM (5 of 177)

I do not look down, but see it as the parent will always have a picky eater. I figure with my own kids they will eat what we offer them, and if they refuse it, they will just not get anything else. My oldest refused food, until she was sent to bed hungry a couple of nights and realized she would eat what I served rather she like it or not.

It is all how you appoach stuff like that. If you give in you will always have a picky eater, but it is not my problem. I will just look and know your picky eater is because of your choices.

I do not look down, but see it as the parent will always have a picky eater. I figure with my own kids they will eat what we offer them, and if they refuse it, they will just not get anything else. My oldest refused food, until she was sent to bed hungry a couple of nights and realized she would eat what I served rather she like it or not.

It is all how you appoach stuff like that. If you give in you will always have a picky eater, but it is not my problem. I will just look and know your picky eater is because of your choices.

I do not think poorly of you, in fact, I commiserate with you. I struggle w/ a 2 1/2 year old w/ a very picky diet as well. He has been diagnosed w/ a feeding disorder, but that doesn't mean I dont get stares/comments from people who do not understand. Jake will eat waffles, 1 particular brand of yogurt, cinnamon toast, luna bars and limited other things. I wish he ate more. I try each day to give him new things. He refuses. He has a horrid gag reflex and will literally vomit when he tastes something he doesnt not like. He also will choke on foods that are difficult for him to eat- for whatever reason they are difficult. Im sorry you struggle w/ your son's diet as well.

I do not think poorly of you, in fact, I commiserate with you. I struggle w/ a 2 1/2 year old w/ a very picky diet as well. He has been diagnosed w/ a feeding disorder, but that doesn't mean I dont get stares/comments from people who do not understand. Jake will eat waffles, 1 particular brand of yogurt, cinnamon toast, luna bars and limited other things. I wish he ate more. I try each day to give him new things. He refuses. He has a horrid gag reflex and will literally vomit when he tastes something he doesnt not like. He also will choke on foods that are difficult for him to eat- for whatever reason they are difficult. Im sorry you struggle w/ your son's diet as well.

I know that many parents do look down on people that don't feed all organic/healthy. Those mothers are the ones that have no idea what a picky eater is like. My daughter is so extremly picky. At this point she is living off of cheerios, homemade pizza, ritz, cheese toast and fruit. That's pretty much it. It's very hard to deal with children like that when it comes to food. Don't worry about what others think. Give your child suppliment vitamins and herbal products to make up for it. That is what I do.. I am a licensed nutritional assistant and herbalist, so this is not a problem of not being educated. It is a picky kid problem...

I know that many parents do look down on people that don't feed all organic/healthy. Those mothers are the ones that have no idea what a picky eater is like. My daughter is so extremly picky. At this point she is living off of cheerios, homemade pizza, ritz, cheese toast and fruit. That's pretty much it. It's very hard to deal with children like that when it comes to food. Don't worry about what others think. Give your child suppliment vitamins and herbal products to make up for it. That is what I do.. I am a licensed nutritional assistant and herbalist, so this is not a problem of not being educated. It is a picky kid problem...

I could care less what another person feeds their child. You never know the whole story. For instance, my 2.5 year old won't eat anything but fruit and chicken. So when we go out to eat he gets chicken tenders and fries. He gets chicken nuggets alot during the week. If it is between that or letting him starve, so be it.

I could care less what another person feeds their child. You never know the whole story. For instance, my 2.5 year old won't eat anything but fruit and chicken. So when we go out to eat he gets chicken tenders and fries. He gets chicken nuggets alot during the week. If it is between that or letting him starve, so be it.

Honestly, I think it's ridiculous how concerned everyone is with each others eating habits. I don't think that things like hamburger helper and frozen chicken nuggets are going to kill anyone. Do I think it's good to eat everyday? No. But if it's ALL your child will eat, then eating something is better than eating nothing. He will grow out of it, eventually. Unless your child looks super unhealthy or obese, then NO, I would absolutely not judge you.

I saw what looked to be a 9 month old or younger eating one of those 2 ft. long pixy sticks once. To me, that is something that I would judge.

Honestly, I think it's ridiculous how concerned everyone is with each others eating habits. I don't think that things like hamburger helper and frozen chicken nuggets are going to kill anyone. Do I think it's good to eat everyday? No. But if it's ALL your child will eat, then eating something is better than eating nothing. He will grow out of it, eventually. Unless your child looks super unhealthy or obese, then NO, I would absolutely not judge you.

I saw what looked to be a 9 month old or younger eating one of those 2 ft. long pixy sticks once. To me, that is something that I would judge.

My sister had this problem (still has, really) with her eldest daughter. She will not eat any green, red, blue, yellow or orange foods. Her pedi said the same: let her eat whatever, just get her to eat. Well now at twelve this girl is still tiny (4.5 ft and less then 60 lbs) and still won't eat red, green, blue, orange or yellow foods.

I think for most kids is just a phase, but not this one. And I think most people with kids understand this picky eater phase. Those who criticise or look askance at your cart don't have kids. Good luck!

My sister had this problem (still has, really) with her eldest daughter. She will not eat any green, red, blue, yellow or orange foods. Her pedi said the same: let her eat whatever, just get her to eat. Well now at twelve this girl is still tiny (4.5 ft and less then 60 lbs) and still won't eat red, green, blue, orange or yellow foods.

I think for most kids is just a phase, but not this one. And I think most people with kids understand this picky eater phase. Those who criticise or look askance at your cart don't have kids. Good luck!

I didn't realize my son was a twin! I feed my son mac and chz like everynight. He, too, was a great eater, then poof! To make sure my ds gets all his vitamins, he gets 2 gummie superheros everynight. I offer him what we're having, then give in to mac and cheese. He will eat other kid foods, like hot dogs, so I try to buy the healthiest I can find. Ya, I know, no such thing as a healthy hot dog. Hopefully for us, its just a phase...Also! He was a breast fed baby! I don't get it. I eat everything. Oh, well.

I didn't realize my son was a twin! I feed my son mac and chz like everynight. He, too, was a great eater, then poof! To make sure my ds gets all his vitamins, he gets 2 gummie superheros everynight. I offer him what we're having, then give in to mac and cheese. He will eat other kid foods, like hot dogs, so I try to buy the healthiest I can find. Ya, I know, no such thing as a healthy hot dog. Hopefully for us, its just a phase...Also! He was a breast fed baby! I don't get it. I eat everything. Oh, well.

I would be a total hypocrite if I looked down on you. My son is the pickiest eater alive. Perdue chicken nuggets are great by the way. They are all white meat and not fried. Zach eats them.

I admit to getting Zach the occasional happy meal, but he eats chicken nuggets, apples (no dip) and white milk. I am ok with that. Not thrilled with their nuggets but..........

At home he only likes Cheerios cereal, yogurt (he eats 1-3 a day), chicken nuggets, kraft mac and cheese, green beans, applesauce, and as a treat he gets snack packs. He eats more sugar than I would like, and decided last week to go sugar free with the pudding snacks. He drinks milk like it is going out of style. Overall, it could be better and it could be worse, at least he is getting some good stuff too.....

I would be a total hypocrite if I looked down on you. My son is the pickiest eater alive. Perdue chicken nuggets are great by the way. They are all white meat and not fried. Zach eats them.

I admit to getting Zach the occasional happy meal, but he eats chicken nuggets, apples (no dip) and white milk. I am ok with that. Not thrilled with their nuggets but..........

At home he only likes Cheerios cereal, yogurt (he eats 1-3 a day), chicken nuggets, kraft mac and cheese, green beans, applesauce, and as a treat he gets snack packs. He eats more sugar than I would like, and decided last week to go sugar free with the pudding snacks. He drinks milk like it is going out of style. Overall, it could be better and it could be worse, at least he is getting some good stuff too.....

Your solution does not work for every child. I have played the food game for 7 years now. My daughter would literally starve if I "just sent her to bed hungry". That's great that it worked for your kids and how you approached it. But it didn't work at my house. My fear after so much emphasis being placed on our food crisis was that I was setting her up for an eating disorder. So I stopped all the games and tactics and just let her eat whatever she will... So please do not make blanket statements like that until you have lived in every single home of every picky child. Besides, if going to bed hungry a couple of times solved your problem, then I wouldn't label your kids picky eaters to begin with but rather it was a power struggle that you won.

Your solution does not work for every child. I have played the food game for 7 years now. My daughter would literally starve if I "just sent her to bed hungry". That's great that it worked for your kids and how you approached it. But it didn't work at my house. My fear after so much emphasis being placed on our food crisis was that I was setting her up for an eating disorder. So I stopped all the games and tactics and just let her eat whatever she will... So please do not make blanket statements like that until you have lived in every single home of every picky child. Besides, if going to bed hungry a couple of times solved your problem, then I wouldn't label your kids picky eaters to begin with but rather it was a power struggle that you won.

A mom giving her kid a Happy Meal, slice of pizza, nuggets, ice cream cone, or some fries - no judgment.

A mom giving her kid an adult-portion Banzai Burger, tower of rings, and large Oreo shake - major judgment. (Yes, I have seen this before.)

IMO it's not just about "what", but "how much". A young child getting a little bit of junk here and there is no big deal to me...a young child getting a whole bunch of junk all the time is a different story.

A mom giving her kid a Happy Meal, slice of pizza, nuggets, ice cream cone, or some fries - no judgment.

A mom giving her kid an adult-portion Banzai Burger, tower of rings, and large Oreo shake - major judgment. (Yes, I have seen this before.)

IMO it's not just about "what", but "how much". A young child getting a little bit of junk here and there is no big deal to me...a young child getting a whole bunch of junk all the time is a different story.

Before I had kids I would have looked down on you but, thankfully, we live and learn. My kid is 2.5 and a very picky eater so Im in the same boat. Just do the best you can. It wont be this way forever. Hugs!!

Before I had kids I would have looked down on you but, thankfully, we live and learn. My kid is 2.5 and a very picky eater so Im in the same boat. Just do the best you can. It wont be this way forever. Hugs!!

Natalie, proud Mommy to Henry (born 12/26/08) and Madeleine (born 5/25/11).

From:
amribeiro

To: kdemello

Posted: Feb-07 12:43 PM (18 of 177)

The only person I have ever looked down on due to eating habits is a grown adult who has acute pancreatitis, he continued to eat things that had set off attacks in the past, he was hospitalized in an ICU for over a month, we were shocked he lived, the doctors have him on a feeding tube (its been 6 months) because they say another attack will kill him. I would have thought that his wife (who doesn't work) would be serving healthy foods to their kids and getting ready to have her DH on a healthy diet once the feeding tube comes out, but no they eat fast food for almost every meal of the day. I fear that he is going to end up dead, (his diet is suppose to be very low fat and very low sugar ).
Thankfully I have never had a picky eater, just one kid who won't drink any kind of milk.

The only person I have ever looked down on due to eating habits is a grown adult who has acute pancreatitis, he continued to eat things that had set off attacks in the past, he was hospitalized in an ICU for over a month, we were shocked he lived, the doctors have him on a feeding tube (its been 6 months) because they say another attack will kill him. I would have thought that his wife (who doesn't work) would be serving healthy foods to their kids and getting ready to have her DH on a healthy diet once the feeding tube comes out, but no they eat fast food for almost every meal of the day. I fear that he is going to end up dead, (his diet is suppose to be very low fat and very low sugar ).
Thankfully I have never had a picky eater, just one kid who won't drink any kind of milk.

My oldest refused food, until she was sent to bed hungry a couple of nights and realized she would eat what I served rather she like it or not.

What would you do if she went to bed hungry for a week? And, on those days she didn't have 2 other good meals- maybe just a few bites of a sandwich and milk? Would you change your stance? (This sounds like a judgement, but I'm actually asking you your opinion)

A while ago, I would have agreed. And, believe me, I tried it. I heard over and over from people- if they are hungry, they will eat. And, yes, I'm sure that EVENTUALLY he would have eaten, but at that poing in im life, I could go all day without feeding him, and he wouldn't have eating what I offered. I sent him to bed w/o eating alot. Unfortunately, he's not at the age of reason yet. So, maybe soon... just not at 1 yr.

My oldest refused food, until she was sent to bed hungry a couple of nights and realized she would eat what I served rather she like it or not.

What would you do if she went to bed hungry for a week? And, on those days she didn't have 2 other good meals- maybe just a few bites of a sandwich and milk? Would you change your stance? (This sounds like a judgement, but I'm actually asking you your opinion)

A while ago, I would have agreed. And, believe me, I tried it. I heard over and over from people- if they are hungry, they will eat. And, yes, I'm sure that EVENTUALLY he would have eaten, but at that poing in im life, I could go all day without feeding him, and he wouldn't have eating what I offered. I sent him to bed w/o eating alot. Unfortunately, he's not at the age of reason yet. So, maybe soon... just not at 1 yr.

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